Standard duty vs heavy duty leaf springs?

[Tipjar]

Eaton Springs is offering standard duty leaf springs and heavy duty leaf springs for the same price (for a '50 Commander convertible) and I'm wondering which way to go. I've heard heavy duty springs may help reduce sway. Are there any noticeable disadvantages to ride quality going with the heavy duty springs?

[Lark Hunter]

I would vote for the standard duty, unless you're planning on being loaded down heavily, towing a trailer, or other similar work. But, yes, there is a certain tradeoff in going with stiffer springs, which would be a stiffer ride.

I know there seems to be a general preference, even a default in the modern era to favor handling over a more compliant ride, but I find myself rather more fond of minimizing potholes and broken pavement instead of canyon carving... it's just how I roll.

[PackardV8]

Two up front - standard duty
Four plus luggage - heavy duty

Best quality shocks with either.

jack vines

[Jeffry Cassel]

Standard springs give a pretty wallow-y ride in this car. I usually favor standard, but in this car I might go with heavy duty.

[RadioRoy]

The lever action shock absorbers are adjustable on a 50 Commander.

[studegary]

For a car that likely will not see regular/daily usage, I would go with the standard springs, unless you plan some unusual loading of the rear of the car.

[mw2013]

heavy duty, full tank of gas and the springs are mush, and they do reduce rear rolling over ( sway)

[studegary]

heavy duty, full tank of gas and the springs are mush, and they do reduce rear rolling over ( sway)

I assume that you are referring to a Lark type and not a 1950 Commander.

[mw2013]

yes lark, that is just me i always go stiffer, for suspension, more sway bars, more spring rate, more dampen and rebound, more chassis stiffness, why plush around, that is just me

[Edsel Face]

How much are they charging?

[Greenstude]

My 1947 Champion was not fun to drive on a twisty road nor on a traffic circle. For a long time I blamed the front end. Then two members of our Chapter (an engineer and an excellent mechanic) told me to have a leaf added to each REAR spring immediately under the main leaf.. This raised the rear of the car about 1.5 inches, making it sit level. More importantly, it dramatically improved the handling. Many years later the car remains easier and safer to drive.

Bill

[mw2013]

My 1947 Champion was not fun to drive on a twisty road nor on a traffic circle. For a long time I blamed the front end. Then two members of our Chapter (an engineer and an excellent mechanic) told me to have a leaf added to each REAR spring immediately under the main leaf.. This raised the rear of the car about 1.5 inches, making it sit level. More importantly, it dramatically improved the handling. Many years later the car remains easier and safer to drive.

Bill

did the same, added a leaf on the tired old pack raised it 2 inches, and it helped

[Lark Hunter]

did the same, added a leaf on the tired old pack raised it 2 inches, and it helped

That isn't an apples to apples comparison, though. The springs on my Lark are so bad that adding a leaf wouldn't revive them. It's hard to say how yours or mine compare to new, non-fatigued springs on their own.

[mw2013]

mine were not that bad just wanted to lift it and it worked, add and truck 4x4 leaf

[jackb]

If you drive your car like it was designed (50's - 60's), standard standard from Eaton should be fine. If you're driving like a 2016 Honda or other modern car, you might need HD all around, disc brakes, fast turning arms, ..........One other thing..... the NOS springs from SI are a crap shoot. I'm not sure, but, maybe like a lot of other stuff, some were rejects. I had a bad experience with NOS Champ leaf springs.....